Washing apparatus



Jan 4, 1955 T. J. KEARNEY ETAI. 2,698,627

WASHING APPARATUS Filed Maron 28. 1949 2 sheets-snee: 1

W I TNESSES l N VEN TORS Twmsllzemwe Jp@ By Jexazwmee., I i. Y v AT'IORNILYS Jan. 4, 1955 T, 1 KEARNEY ETAL 2,698,627

WASHING APPARATUS Filed March 28, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 12- z w1 TNEssEs Y:gw/EN ToRs:

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ATTORNEYS.

.y United States Patent O 2,698,621 WASHING` APPARATUS Thomas I. Kearney and Alex S. McPhee, Detroit, Mich.,

sssignors to Detrex Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan "This invention has general reference to apparatus of washing articles and relates, more particularly, to `the species or form thereof now more commonly known as 2,698,621 Patented Jan. 4, 1955 ICC industrial washing machines for cleaning and/or otherwise treatingv articles progressively conveyed through a suitable enclosure sub-divided into serially arranged treating sections or chambers.

Machines ofthe type above referred to while measurably satisfactory are, not infrequently, liable to develop an operational disadvantage in that some cleaning compounds form a solution, either alone or in conjunction with some of the soils removed, which solution tends to foam considerably. Foam of this type retains some of 4the fine soil removed from the work being cleaned and redeposits such soil on the work. Moreover, such soils vare frequently carried into the solution reservoir with resultant contamination thereof.

One object of our invention is to provide for positive removal from the solution, after its application to the work being treated, .of all chips, lint, .shop dirt, etc., whereby said solution is freed of contaminating material before return to the solution tank, or before re-entering the cleaning cycle.

Another vobject of our invention is to provi de a washing apparatus or machine of the above indicated species including refinements whereby the operational mainte- .nance of such apparatus is simplified and less frequent stoppage required.

A further object of our invention is to provide a washing apparatus or machine of the type above referred to .including readily removable items whereby the wash cycle may be changed to avoid foaming.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a washing apparatus or machine of the species above specified in which'the drying section or chamber is equipped with a novel form and arrangement of blow-off nozzles whereby the drying of the treated articles is more expeditiously carried out than heretofore.

Other objects, features and ancillary advantages, of our vention will be hereinafter set forth in the description of the accompanying two sheets of drawings, forming a part hereof, and thereafter more concisely expressed in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing apparatus or machine showing one practical embodiment of our invention, with parts broken out or in section to better disclose otherwise hidden features.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding scale fragmentary perspective view of the lower left-hand portion of Fig. 1 with other parts positioned for carrying out another washing cycle.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation, mainly in vertical section, of the left-hand washing portion of Fig. 2, but drawn to a larger scale for better illustration of important features. Y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section through the blow-off section, or right-hand end portion of Fig. 1, and showing a preferred arrangement of the blow-off nozzles.

Fig. 5 vis a perspective view of a removable shed plate, hereinafter fully explained; and,

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through one of the blowoff nozzles hereinafter fully described.

In describing the form of our invention exemplified by the drawings, specific terms will be employed'for the sake of clarity, but it is to be understood that the scope of said invention is not thereby limited; each such term the same function for an analogous purpose.

The washing apparatus or machine illustrated and comprehensively designated by the reference character m in Fig. 1, is of the type adapted for the treatment of conveyor transported articles by 'serial progression through consecutive washing and rinsing chambers 7, 8 respectively, as well as through an aligned drying or blow-0E section 9, all of which are included in the main enclosure portion 10 of the machine m. More specifically, the major part of the machine main enclosure\portion 10 is generally of rectangular formation to include a base or oor 11, a rear wall 12, a front wall 13, a channel-shaped top wall 14, and end walls 15, 16. The base or floor 11, see Figs. lf3, extends forwardly beyond the front wall 13 to afford bearing 11' for the left and right-hand screening tanks 17, 18 respectively, which are suitably provided with access covers 19, as will be readily understood by those conversant with the art. It is to be here noted that the lower portion of the main enclosure 10 intermediate the rear and front walls 12, 13 is equipped with an inclined bottom 20, conveniently having'a two-inch slope down- Wardly from the rear wall 12 to the front wall 13, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

It is also to be remarked that extending lengthwise of the top wall 14, of the main enclosure 10, there is provided a relatively shorter housing or hood 21 fitted with lateral partitioning elements 22 which serve to operationally set apart the chambers 7, 8 as well as the blown@ section 9, without interfering with the free movement of the conveyor v23; said conveyor being conveniently, aithough not essentially, of the slatted or mesh belt type.

' Thecouveyor 23 is trained about suitable driving means,

not shown, proximate the respective ends of the top wall channeled portion 24, with its upper-flight 25 coplanar with the top face thereof and its lower flight 26 spaced parallel to flight 25 and below it. The washing and rinsing chambers 7, 8 are separated below the lower Hight 26 of the conveyor 23 by a vrtcal`partition wall v27 extending to the base or floor 11 with associated right and left-hand opposedly-inclined drain plates 28, 29 which extend from the main enclosure rear wall 12 to the front wall E3 thereof.

In addition to the foregoing the washing chamber 7 is 'fitted with removable shed plates 37 inclined downwardly from the back wall 12 to the front wall 13, see Figs. 2 and 3. The outer shed plates 37, it is to be observed do not extend into abutment with the machine end wall 15, or the spacedly related partition wall 27 intervening the washing and rinsing chambers 7, 8 respectively. The

opposed drain plates 28 include angulardependent portions 31 and lateral lips below the inner edges of the shed plates 37 in order that the drainage from the plates 8 will be directed onto the inclined shed plates 37, for a purpose hereinafter explained. From Fig. 3 the arrangement of the shed plates 37 and their support in the wash ing chamber 7, as by angles 30, will be readily understood. It will be noted that each shed plate 37 includes an angle section 38 (Fig. 5) affording support for the adjoining edge of the said plates, as well vas serving to maintain the plates 37 coplanarly related.

Each portion of the'front wall 13 adjoining the respective straining or screening tanks 17, 18 is provided with an appropriate communicating opening 33, Fig. 3, having an outwardly directed lip or liange 34. This fiange 34 serves for removable application thereto of a doublescreen 35 that is conveniently held in place by suitable guide bars 36, which retain said screen 35 at the desired angle of inclination, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

At this juncture itis to be noted that the main enclosure portion 10 ofthe machine m, in conjunction with the communication openings 33 into the straining and screen ing tanks 1 7, 18, jointly provide a substantial receptacle for containing a large quantity of the cleaning solution s, Fig. 3 only, whereby the general ef'liciency of the machine is considerably increased.

The tank 17 is further provided with a weir opening 40 in the wall 13 having a lip 41, Fig. 1, which facilitates overflow of solids and other matter removed from the work in the washing chamber 7. A removable chip or perforate strainer basket 42, Figs. 2 and 3, is supported by suitable means 43 above the level of the treating solution s in said tank 17. lt -will now be apparent that by provision of the removable basket 42 and removable shed plates 37, we are enabled to screen out and collect large quantities of heavy solids, such as metal chips, scale, lint and other foreign matter.

In order to spray the work effectively during passage through the washing and rinsing chambers 7, 8 respectively, we equip each of said chambers with a header 44, having a suitable ow connection 45.from an individually associated suction pump 46a or 46b that is preferably direct driven by an electric motor 47. Pump 46a includes an inlet pipe 48 and T t. The inlet pipe 48, of Fig. 2, includes a removable suction branch 48 which passes through the wall 13 into the main body of the solution s and the T t is provided at its free end with a removable plug 49, Figs. 2 and 3, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. Each of the headers 44 aforesaid is fitted with spaced upper branches 50 having dependent extensions 51 which terminate above the level of the main enclosure top wall. The header 44 is also equipped with dependent branches 52 having angularly vrelated lower extensions 53 that pass between the flights 25, 26 of the conveyor 23. It will, of course, be understood that the free ends of the respective extensions 51 and 53 are plugged or otherwise sealed while all of the branches 50, 52 and extensions 51, 53 are providedwith staggeringly related angular nozzles 54 effective to diffuse the sprayed washing solution directionally onto and about the articles carried by the conveyor 23, as well as upwardly through the conveyor flight 25, whereby the work washed is subjected to thorough and complete cleansing action. It is to be noted that the spray equipment described is ,substantially identical in both the washing and rinsing chambers 7, 8 and accordingly, in order to obviate unnecessary repetitive explanation the part 44 and parts 50-54 inclusive, are similarly characterized in said rinsing chamber 8 by like reference characters.

The wash solution s in the chamber 7, as well as the rinsing liquid in the chamber 8 are heated, as desired, by aid of conventional radiator or heater coils 55 respectively (Fig. 1) suitably positioned for intimate contact by said solution and resultant maximum heat-transfer efficiency.

Turning now to the blow-olf section 9, the same generally includes a blower 56 in conduit connection with the blow-olf chamber 57, Fig. 1, and a return-air duct 58, all of which are of known construction. It is to be remarked, however, that the back and front wall portions 12 and 13 (Fig. 4) of the blow-off chamber 57 are fitted with spaced and staggeringly-related nozzles 59, 60, the former 59 of which are above the conveyor ight 25; whereas the latter 60 are extended intermediate said ight and the conveyor lower flight 26. The inner ends of the nozzles 60 are arcuately turned upwards at 61 so as to better direct the fiow of air through the conveyor flight 25. Each blow-off nozzle 59 and 60, see Fig. 6, preferably, although not essentially, consists of a comparatively short straight length of suitable tubing, or it may be curved, to suit some particular service requirement. Each nozzle 'length of tubing 59 or 60 has the attaching end conveniently held in place by a split bushing 62, in turn firmly engaged in a taper-type stud 63 that is rigidly mounted concentric with an associated aperture 64 through the respective walls 12, 13, as will be readily understood by those conversant with the art. By the disposition and arrangement of the nozzles 59, 60 as above described, it will be apparent that the drying or blow-off air is supplied to the chamber 57 in currents which are intimately distributed from various directions above, about, and upwardly from below the work on the conveyor 23, after washing and rinsing, prior to its exit from the machine m, at the right-hand end of the machine m in the showing of Fig. 1. The distribution and circulation of the .air currents by the means and inthe manner just described materially intensifies the blow-off period, incidental to the manner in which the nozzles 59, 60 are arranged, with the result that the work is positively dried before it emerges from the machine m.

Having described the structural features of our invention it will be readily appreciated that when the shed plates 37, suction branch 48', chip basket 42, as well as the plug 49, have all been removed as shown in Fig. l, the off-fall of the spray pump 46a, after distribution by the staggered nozzles 54 over and about the work being transported by the conveyor through the entrance 65, of the machine hood 21, will fall through said conveyor and return over the heater coils 55 to the main supply s. This intimate ow contact with the heater coils 55 results in a maximum heat transfer efliciency before passage of the circulating solution through the double screen 35 and suction through the T t to the pump 46a for re-circulation, in 'accordance with known practice.

Now it will be readily understood that if the washing cycle is to be changed to accommodate an operating condition where chips, lint, shop dirt and so forth, which are removed from the work, should be desirably collected for periodic removal to prevent the re-entry of the associated soils into the cleaning cycle, the operator first inserts the suction branch 48' and the plug 49 as shown in Fig. 3 and then places the shed plates 37 as well as the chip basket 42 in position, as hereinbefore set forth. The washing or cleaning cycle through Ythe chamber 7 will thereupon be as follows: When the suction pump 46a is set in operation, the washing or cleaning solution will be drawn from the main supply s through the branch pipe 48', T t and inlet pipe 48 to the pump 46a and will be forced by the latter by way of the flow connection 45 to the header 44, for distribution by the staggered nozzles 54 over and about the work being transported by the conveyor 23 through the hood 22. The off-fall ofthe thus distributed cleaning solution will descend through the conveyor fiights 25, 26 onto the drain plate 28 and will be directed by the latter to the shed plates 37 and thence through opening 40. Incident to 'such ow of the off-fall solution it will now'be apparent any contained solids, such as metal chips and other materials or substances washed from the work will be retained in the chip basket 42 with the associated soils settling to the bottom of the screening tank 17. The cleaning solution then passes through the double-screen 35 into the main body of solution s in a condition ready for re-circulation through suction branch 48. words, the metal chips and other solids or substances strained out by the basket 42, as well as screened out soils effected by the double screen 35 are prevented from reentering the washing cycle in the chamber 7. In the event that undue foaming is enco'untered with the shed plates 37 in position it is possible to change quickly to the cycle first described. As a result the operation and maintenance of the machine m is considerably simplified and a much improved efficiency is possible. It is also to be noted that the chip basket 42 provides an easily removable means for screening out large quantities of heavy solids and other foreign matter in a manner which is simple and easily effected without waste of time and labor.

It is further to be noted that when the shed plates 37 are removed, the off-fall from the spray pump 46a flows, through the opening intervening the drain plate portions 31, 32 created by removal of said shed plates 37, directly over the heating coils 55 into the main body of solution s and through the double screen 35 into the pump or suc. tion tank 17 for re-circulation as hereinbefore explained.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that by our nvention we have provided a washing machine in which the several objects set forth in the prefatory paragraphs of this specification are fully achieved, as well as providing a machine that is well adapted to meet the varying conditions of practical use. Accordingly, as numerous possible changes and other adaptations of our improvements may be made to meet the different service requirements, it is to be understood that all matters set forth and illustrated by the drawings are not to be construed as limitative otherwise than the following claims and the prior art necessitate.

Having thus described our invention, We claim:

l. A washing chamber for a multiple chamber washing machine comprising a main solution tank and an adjacent, how-connected straining and screening tank; removable shed plates upon said main solution tank, disposed to prevent the flow of uid directly into said main solution tank and guiding the flow of washing fluid into said straining and screening tank; removable straining means in said straining and screening tank; fixed screening means in said tank adjacent said main solution tank; an'd pumping means in said straining and screening tank convertible to operate in said main solution tank when the shed plates are in place upon said main solution tank.

2. A washing machine comprising individual owconnected straining and screening tanks; a washing cham- In otherbet' including a weir opening affording connection into the associated straining and screening tank; a perforate basket removably supported below said opening for collection of solids and so forth overowing said weir; means for respectively directing washing and rinsing iuids against articles to be washed from above, about, and upwardly from below the same; and removable draining and piping means in the washing chamber for changing the circulation of the washing and rinsing fluids through their respective ow-connected tanks.

3 A washing machme comprising a washing chamber; v indlvidual ow-connected straining and screening tanks;

pumping means; means for respectively directing washing and rinsing uids against articles to be washed from above, about and upwardly from below the same; and removable draining and piping means in the washing chamber for changingithe circulation of the washing and rinsing uids through their respective Bow-connected tanks, said removable means comprising an inlet block and an inlet T extension alternately attached to the 0 pumping means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Blair Mar. 3, Ellis Fullard July 3, Couch Aug. 30, Baker Mar. 6, Webb July 2, Morton Oct. 6, Zademach Feb. 7, Zademach Feb. 28, Taylor Jan. 16, Perkins Aug. 19, Johnston May 2, Miller Sept. 18, Campbell Apr. 30, Alling et al Mar. 25,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 24, 

